Chapter 49: Nightfall

"I understand, young man."

Shen Xuan helplessly gave his consent.

Judging by Lu Wenyong's attitude, if he refused at this moment, this eminent Confucian scholar would likely lose his temper with him on the spot.

As for the imperial physician examination, Shen Xuan would still attend.

After all, Old An valued him so much; if he didn't even show up, it wouldn't just be offending someone to the bitter end—even Shen Xuan himself would feel embarrassed.

"The worst that can happen is failing the test, but doing so would be rather unfair to Old An."

Thinking this to himself, Shen Xuan could not help but shake his head.

From the very beginning, he had never intended to join the Imperial Medical Academy. With Shen Xuan's medical skills, who would be teaching whom was anyone's guess! Entering the academy would serve no purpose other than wasting the time he could be spending making money.

"Alright, put these matters aside for now. Xuan'er, quickly bring us old fellows a plate of those skewered meats. I've long heard that delicacy is unmatched, and since we finally have the chance today, I must have a proper taste."

Seeing that the discussion had come to a close, Old Master Qin spoke directly to Shen Xuan.

"Then grandfather and senior, please wait a moment, I will have someone prepare it right away."

Shen Xuan withdrew his thoughts, smiled, and spoke to the two elders. He then turned to make the arrangements.

Inside the Monarch's Return Restaurant, Nangong Wan held a skewer of food, watching Old An Changming leave the restaurant with a gloomy and furious expression. She could not help but ask the female emperor beside her,

"Your Majesty, what is wrong with this imperial physician? He was all smiles when he went in, but just a short while later, why is he walking out with such a long, sour face?"

The female emperor glanced over and withdrew her gaze, continuing to focus on her meal before casually offering an explanation.

"Unclear. We will know once we ask later."

Nangong Wan nodded, looked at the barbecue in her hand, and asked with some reluctance,

"Then, Your Majesty, should we follow him now, or have the imperial physician summoned to the palace later?"

"No need for haste. Aren't there still two people inside who haven't come out? Let us finish our meal; it will not be too late to ask when they emerge."

The female emperor's tone was calm and unhurried as she spoke.

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Nangong Wan's eyes brightened, and her voice carried a trace of excitement.

By evening, Old Master Qin and Lu Wenyong were walking back along the path to the Chancellor's estate. The afterglow of the setting sun cast its light upon them, stretching their slightly stooped figures into long shadows.

"Tsk tsk, the taste of those skewers is truly exceptional. I wonder how the lad ever came up with them?"

Old Master Qin held a toothpick in his hand, picking his teeth as he spoke.

"Indeed, the flavor is remarkable, not to mention that Supreme Vitality Porridge. I never expected the effects to be so potent. No wonder Old An was so insistent on having young Shen join their Imperial Medical Academy."

Lu Wenyong nodded in agreement, finally fully understanding An Changming's abnormal behavior.

"Just look at whose grandson he is."

Old Master Qin said with considerable pride.

"I won't deny that the lad Shen is outstanding. Not only is he talented, but he also possesses god-given medical skills. Calling him a youthful prodigy of his generation is no exaggeration."

Lu Wenyong nodded, making no attempt to hide Shen Xuan's excellence and praising him directly.

Old Master Qin was puzzled, wondering if this old fellow had a sudden change of heart, seeing as he didn't even try to refute him.

However, what Lu Wenyong said next almost angered the old master enough to twist his beard out of place.

"Yet what does any of this have to do with you, you old ghost? Shen Xuan has no blood relation to you whatsoever. His excellence is due to his own ability; stop trying to bathe in reflected glory."

"Hey! You old scoundrel Lu, haven't you argued enough for today? Why, the moment you finish bickering with An Changming, you want to pick a fight with me? Aren't you afraid of tiring yourself to death?"

Old Master Qin's eyebrows twitched as he spoke in exasperation.

"Hmph! What is there to argue about with a brute like you?"

Lu Wenyong glanced sideways, and seeing Old Master Qin's exasperated expression, a wave of satisfaction washed over him.

"I tell you... wait!"

Old Master Qin was about to retort, but noticing the townspeople gradually surrounding them from all directions, his expression hardened in an instant, and a chill crept into his eyes.

Lu Wenyong also noticed that the situation had turned sour. His face grew somewhat unsightly, and he instinctively stepped behind Old Master Qin.

Old Master Qin paused, turning back to look at Lu Wenyong with a look in his eyes that seemed to say,

"Are you really this cowardly, old man?"

Lu Wenyong rolled his eyes and replied with his own gaze,

"How can this be called cowardice? I am merely afraid of becoming a burden to you. I am just a frail scholar, not a formidable warrior like you, am I?"

Old Master Qin thought about it and decided it made a certain kind of sense, though for some reason, he still felt something was slightly amiss.

Shaking his head to clear the thought, Old Master Qin spoke in a deep voice,

"I wonder who you gentlemen might be, and what business you have with two old fellows like us?"

"Heh!"

Accompanied by a soft chuckle, a man in black wearing a bronze mask stepped quietly out from the shadows, fixing a pair of emotionless eyes directly upon the two of them.

"Who are you?"

Sensing the familiar aura of killing intent emanating from this person, Old Master Qin's expression grew solemn, and he asked in a grave tone.

"As expected of the Great Gan's former Fierce Tiger. Even at your age, your vigilance remains so sharp. It truly commands my admiration."

The masked man did not answer the question, choosing instead to offer a smiling compliment.

"Stop spouting nonsense with me. Exactly who are you, and what is your purpose in blocking our way?"

Old Master Qin's expression turned icy, and as he spoke, an oppressive aura of killing intent quietly began to spread outward.

The previously amiable old grandfather now resembled a god of slaughter stepping straight out of hell, sending an involuntary chill through the hearts of anyone who looked upon him.

"Old master, please do not be angered. We are merely following our master's command to respectfully invite the two of you to accompany us."

Sensing this wave of murderous intent, even the masked man felt his heart tighten. Cursing himself internally for pushing things too far, he hastily spoke up.

"Your master? And who might your master be?"

Old Master Qin's brow furrowed deeper, displeasure mounting in his eyes as he spoke harshly.

"I wonder if the old master recognizes this token!"

With that, the masked man drew a dark-gold token from his bosom and displayed it before Old Master Qin.

"You people belong to the Veil?"

Recognizing the design of the token, Old Master Qin asked in astonishment.

The masked man said nothing, merely nodding firmly.

"Then the master you speak of... could it be that person...?"

A realization dawned upon Old Master Qin, leaving the expression on his face utterly stunned. He swallowed hard and spoke with utmost caution.

"Since the old general already knows, please follow us, both of you."

Seeing that the matter was understood, the masked man extended an invitation.

"Let's go, Lu Scoundrel. They are our own people."

Old Master Qin nodded, speaking to Lu Wenyong behind him.